Orlando Magic -

January 9, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo (4) drives to the basket during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

With the headache that Howard gave them, they had no choice but to make a move. While there were offers on the table that may have looked better on paper (Nets), the Magic were able to get back Afflalo, Harkless, Vucevic and Harrington. While the trade doesn’t seem like a fair exchange on paper and it surely didn’t give the Magic a head start on the rebuilding phase, the inclusion of Afflalo was big. After starting off a respectable 12-13, the Magic have found themselves losers of 10 straight games.

The Magic have no regrets of not taking a chance on building around Bynum, but the self-explosion of their roster is on them. They have many role players that they will continue to look to trade for picks. It’ll be a few years until a winning team returns to Orlando.

Los Angeles Lakers -

January 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) questions a foul call during the first half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It’s still unfair to name the Lakers losers in this trade. Out of all the teams, I still feel they are the ones who will benefit the most from the deal — that is if Howard decides to re-sign. Right now, they are a complete mess. It started with the firing of Coach Mike Brown after a 0-4 start, then injuries to Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and now Howard. Even when healthy, the team doesn’t play defense under Coach Mike D’Antoni. Nash and a healthy Steve Blake still make up the worst defensive guard duo in the league.

The Lakers are currently losers of six straight games and are six games under .500. They echo Kobe Bryant’s words of being old and slow. The realization of them not making the playoffs is becoming clearer and clearer each day. Along with their chances of postseason play diminishing, the chances of Howard not signing are becoming more realistic as well.

Philadelphia 76ers -

Nov 4, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum (33) looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The 76ers had a surprise year last season, but what they were lacking was that one true star. Yes Iguodala was a great player for the Sixers, but they needed that true superstar. They decided to take a risk with Bynum. Yes they knew of his injury past. Yes they knew it was minimum risk – high reward. Yes they also knew that Bynum is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Despite him not playing in a single game yet for Philadelphia, it was a risk that was worth taking.

The Sixers couldn’t count on Iggy to create shots for them and while Bynum will see plenty of double teams down low, he’s the player they had to go for. But will Bynum re-sign with the Sixers? My initial guess is no. Bynum is only 25 and is coming off a career year. The injuries seemed to pop up more after the deal. Bynum still has plenty of basketball left even if his career gets cut short due to the injuries.

Denver Nuggets - 

November 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Andre Iguodala (9) during the first half against the New Orleans Hornets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 102-84. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Finally the reason you are all here. Iguodala hasn’t been bad at all for the Nuggets. But the team has taken a step back since the deal. Yes the Nuggets are the only team that is over .500 in the deal, but trading away Afflalo and Harrington made them less effective on the offensive end. Denver is still averaging over 100 points per game, but with their current roster, they still aren’t a serious title contender.

They are lacking a true inside presence, but more importantly their shooters aren’t knocking down shots from behind the arc. That’s where they miss Afflalo and Harrington the most. Iggy has improved his jumper, but it doesn’t make up for the loss of Afflalo and Harrington. The value of the trade was fair, but Iguodala just makes another player on the Denver roster that can’t create his own shot which causes the fast-paced offense to slow down. Iguodala can opt out at the end of the season, but I don’t see that happening. Denver won’t win with this roster, but with a few moves, they can move forward from the step they took back.

On the returns, no Nuggets were listed among the top voted players. There are 60 players from each conference listed and three Nuggets on the current ballot. With players like Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik and Metta World Peace ahead of them, do Kenneth Faried, Andre Iguodala or Danilo Gallinari deserve to make the All-Star team?

Here’s how they stack up against the rest of the Western Conference in their respective categories.

January 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried celebrates from the sidelines during the second half against the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Faried -

Points – 18th (12 ppg)

Rebounds – 3rd (9.9 rpg)

Assists – 32nd (0.9 apg)

Blocks – 14th (.83 bpg)

Player efficiency rating – 30th (18.8) **league average is 15**

Dec 28, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets small forward Danilo Gallinari (8) waits for play to resume during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 106-85. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Danilo Gallinari -

Points – 10th (16.2 ppg)

Rebounds – 21st (5.5 rpg)

Assists – 12th (2.4 apg)

Three-point % – 13th (.346 3-pt %)

Player efficiency rating – 52nd (16.5) **league average is 15**

Dec 29, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Andre Iguodala (9) reacts during the final seconds of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Memphis defeated Denver 81-72. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Iguodala -

Points – 12th (14 ppg)

Rebounds – 1st (5.7 ppg)

Assists – 18th (4.5 apg)

Three-point % – 36th (.331 3-pt %)

Player efficiency rating – 77th (14.6) **league average is 15**

While player efficiency is questionable (Javale McGee has the 16th highest PER in the entire league), the numbers don’t lie. The Nuggets are the perfect example of a team that doesn’t have that one true superstar, but a team that is built with young players who have the potential to take the next step. Faried, Gallo and Ty Lawson still have plenty of time to mold into that superstar and Iguodala is an established veteran.

Unfortunately with fan voting, it more times than not turns into a popularity contest. Which is fine because it allows the fans to see who they really want to see. Although I can’t help but remember the countless number of years where Yao Ming made the All-Star Game despite not paying in the first half of the season.

Which Nugget most deserves to make the All-Star Game? Be sure to visit our homepage and cast your vote.

Voting for All-Stars ends January 14. Cast your vote at NBA.com